Rossendale schools set for BBC’s Children In Need choir (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rossendale schools set for BBC’s Children In Need choir

1:26pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News

FOUR Rossendale schools have been selected to perform as part of the BBC’s Children In Need choir next month.

They will sing live under the guidance of East Lancashire’s very own international opera singer, Sean Ruane.

Pupils aged nine to 13 from Alder Grange Community and Technology School, St James-the-less Primary School, All Saints’ Catholic High School and St Mary’s Primary School Haslingden will form part of the 200-strong choir.

The concert will take place in Salford’s Media City on November 16 and will be broadcast live as part of the charity’s flagship BBC programme that evening.

Sean, who grew up in Bacup, approached the Valley schools through his youth initiative, CHANT (Communities Harnessing and Nurturing Talent).

The tenor said: “The BBC approached me to bring together a choir and it only seemed right to get schools from my hometown involved. Singing has given me so much in my life and I want to help inspire young people to get involved and find their voice and make it cool to sing. That’s why I founded CHANT last year.

“I’m using my contacts to give young people an opportunity to perform on some of the biggest stages in the country.

“Now we’ve been given the chance to sing at Children In Need, which is a massive honour.”

CHANT has already enabled youngsters from Lancashire to perform at the Rugby League Challenge Cup semi-finals.

David Heywood, curriculum leader of creative, expressive and performing arts at Alder Grange, added: “We’re incredibly excited that Alder Grange has been chosen to take part in Children In Need.

“This will be a once in a lifetime experience.”

Sean will be back at the Royal Court Theatre in his hometown on November 3 with a night of comical and classical performances.